Published on 05/11/2025
The family of the late Ham Mukasa, led by the estate administrator Ham Galabuzi Mukasa, has accused Church of Uganda of frustrating reconciliation efforts over the disputed Ntawo Mizingu land in Mukono District, a row that has sparked several violent confrontations in recent months.
The reconciliation efforts were initiated two months ago under the guidance of top officials from Ministry of Lands officials following a meeting between both parties. However, the family claims that Church of Uganda has disregarded the directives to pursue dialogue and has instead resorted to acts of intimidation and violence.
“The lands Ministry instructed both sides to sit and agree, but the Church has not acted. Instead, they have hired goons to attack us,” Ham Galabuzi Mukasa, one of the administrators of the Ham Mukasa estate said.
According to Galabuzi, the family’s investigations, backed by a report from the Commissioner of Lands, reveal that Church of Uganda, through its subsidiary UCU Holdings, lost its sublease on the land in 1940 and therefore holds no current legal claim to it.
“Records from the Entebbe Land Registry show that the Church gazetted the loss of its sublease in 1940. The Commissioner of Lands confirmed this in a memo dated May 20, 2024,” Galabuzi explained.
“Many people have been misled to believe that Ham Mukasa donated this land to the Church. While he indeed gave them land where the Mukono Diocese and Uganda Christian University now sit, the Ntawo land was not part of that donation.” he added.
He further alleged that some Church officials and individuals associated with UCU Holdings were engaging in illegal activities on the contested land, including sand mining, plot sales, and private developments, claiming that these activities were being carried out “on a personal basis.”
“Some officials, including former leaders of UCU, have plots in their names and have even compensated people occupying those plots. This can be verified in official land records,” he said, adding that one of the administrators was recently hospitalized following an attack linked to the dispute.
Galabuzi noted that the family remains open to peaceful resolution, saying the government is currently mediating the matter to find a mutual understanding among all stakeholders — the Church, the Ham Mukasa family, and Bibanja holders.
“We are Christians and pray this issue ends amicably. You cannot separate the legacy of Ham Mukasa from the Church of Uganda. The right path is to correct past mistakes and sit at the same table in good faith.” he noted.
The administrators maintain that Ham Mukasa legally bought the land in 1920 and later leased it to the colonial government in 1927. They allege that an individual has since created a freehold title overlapping the original Mailo title, which they describe as illegal.
The contested land, measuring more than 600 acres, is located in Ntawo, Mukono District, and is home to several prominent individuals, including Proscovia Nalweyiso, Presidential Press Secretary, Faruk Kirunda, former Minister Ronald Kibuule, and Ofwono Opondo, among others. The private residence of Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu is also located nearby.
How The Dispute Escalated
The dispute escalated on September 7, 2025, when armed men allegedly attacked administrators of the Ham Mukasa estate as they attempted to clear part of the land to set up offices. The attackers reportedly beat up family members, vandalized vehicles, and stole property worth millions of shillings.
“We had gone to demarcate our land when about 100 men ambushed us. They beat us, smashed car windows, and took money,” said Fahad Mutumba, another administrator.
Some residents condemned the violence but expressed hope that the family’s efforts to secure the land would reduce criminal activity in the area.
Police, led by SSP Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan spokesperson, confirmed the incident and urged both parties to pursue the matter through lawful means. “We have advised both sides to use court processes and for victims of assault or theft to file formal complaints,” he said.
The Ntawo land row joins Uganda’s growing list of high-profile land disputes marked by conflicting titles, claims of historical ownership, and allegations of elite interference.
As tensions persist, residents are calling for urgent government intervention to safeguard lives and property while ensuring justice for all parties involved.
